First published between 1922 and 1954, this ten-volume work, compiled by distinguished Cambridge scholars John Venn and his son J. A. Venn, and invaluable to historians and genealogists, is a comprehensive directory of all known alumni of the University of Cambridge until 1900. Notable figures in this part include Oliver Cromwell.

The Venns (father and son) published this ten-part work, containing over 125,000 entries, between 1922 and 1954. It is a comprehensive directory of all known alumni of the University of Cambridge, listed in two alphabetical sequences, from the university's foundation in the thirteenth century to 1751 and from 1752 to 1900. John Venn senior (1834-1923) is best known for his work as a philosopher and logician, but contributed to his university in many other ways. His keen interests in genealogy and antiquarian studies inspired this study, researched from many sources including episcopal registers. His son, John Archibald Venn (1883-1958) brought the work to completion after his father's death. Thorough and reliable, it is recognised for its extraordinary value to historians and genealogists. Volume 1, Part 1 (1922) covers 'Abbas to Cutts', and includes notable figures such as college founder John Caius, and the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell.